Toronto welcomes Pride Week Special

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By KJ Mullins

Jun 28, 2010 in World

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By KJ Mullins.

Toronto - Pride Week 2010 was officially welcomed to the city of Toronto Monday at noon at Nathan Phillip's Square as the Pride flag was raised into the air.

After a weekend of riots, Toronto happily welcomed the joy that comes from a week of Pride Week activities.

"Welcome to the 30th Anniversary of Pride," Councillor Kyle Rae happily told a robust crowd.

Rae said that looking at the media he noticed San Francisco is celebrating 40 years but "haven't we gone further than they have?"

Rae spoke about the long road Toronto has gone down after giving a moment of silence for the leaders in Toronto who are no longer with us.

In 1991 when then Mayor Eggleton refused to raise the Pride flag, the city council took it away from him and declared Pride Week.

"It's a credit to Toronto that when the mayor was wrong the city council said that the mayor was wrong."

Rae said that Mayor Miller didn't need the education about Pride that others before him had.

"Toronto is not a gay friendly city, it's a gay city."

During the G20 international journalism groups were able to see the gay community in Toronto.

"I am proud that this city has led, not followed and I hope we can continue to do that over the next 30 years."

Mayor David Miller spoke next.

"Happy Pride everyone!"

He thanked Kyle Rae for getting into politics to be a leader for the gay community. Rae is the first openly gay city council member in Toronto.

"After the weekend we've had it's nice to be able to turn the page and think about celebrating Toronto, about celebrating human rights, about being proud of who we are of being in our streets and neighbourhoods," Miller said adding happily, "and maybe having the odd party. This week has to be better than ever!"

"In the spirit of a damn good party" Miller announced that this week is Pride Week.

After the speeches it was time to raise the rainbow flag.